Australian Academy of Management & Science

Student Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

About Australian Academy of Management & Science

Mission Statement and Institutional Goals

Philosophy

Objectives of AAMS

AAMS Code of Ethics

Objectives

Quality Education

Financial Standards

Student Services

Fair treatment equal benefits and opportunities6

Fair and Safe Environment

Marketing and Advertising

Confidential Information

Competency Based Training & Assessment

Continuous Improvement

Compliance with Commonwealth, State/Territory Legislation and Regulatory Requirements

Your rights and responsibilities 9-10

Code of Conduct for Students10

Complaints and Appeals

Complaints Procedure

Appeals

Student Records

Disclosure of Records

Attendance Records

Assessment Records

Warning Letter Procedure

Repeating Subjects

Access by Students to Their Personal Records

Protection of Fees Paid in Advance

Refund Policy15

Full Refund of Tuition Fee

Partial Refund of Tuition Fee

Refund Policy for Overseas Students

Recognition of Qualifications Issued by Other RTOs

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

Access and Equity

Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Support

Student Support Services

Academy Environment Policy

No Smoking Policy

Class Room Policy

Computer Laboratory Policy

Internet

E-mail User Fee

Internet Statement of Ethics

Feedback

Student Selection and Enrolment

Holidays

Sick Leave and Other Absences

Welfare Officer

Deferral of Courses3

Changes to Conditions3

Changes to Training Locations

Academic Dishonesty

Student Disciplinary Procedures

Change of Contact Details

Accepting transferring incoming students

Recognition of current competencies and credit transfer

Deferring suspending or cancelling enrolment

Recording attendance and performance

Student performance

Intervention process student performance

Intervention process student attendance

Contacting students and intervention policy

International Students seeking to transfer from AAMS to another registered provider 32

Releasing and transferring departing students 33

Extending visas4

Recording Attendance, Performance & Moodle 35-38

Transition Arrangements 38

Access by Students to Their Records 39

Student Survey 39

Written agreements between registered providers and students 39

Work placement 39

Police Checks 39

Simulated Training Room & Training Kitchens 40

Introduction

About Australian Academy of Management & Science

Australian Academy of Management & Science (AAMS) is a privately owned and run educational and training organisation. Its motto is to provide quality education and help build a useful society through Vocational Education & Training (VET).

Throughout the Academy the emphasis is to achieve the objectives of the Academy with commitment and team spirit. The CEO, Principal / Director of Studies and the teaching staff discuss, evaluate and develop and implement teaching and learning curriculum for various courses offered at AAMS.

This handbook provides overall policies of AAMS. It includes all the information that both the staff and students require while working or studying at the Academy. Appropriate sections of the information is extracted and placed in the relevant guides, i.e. Student and Staff Handbooks.

Mission Statement and Institutional Goals

The primary mission of AAMS is to educate the leaders of the future. Central to this mission are teaching and learning.

Philosophy

AAMS provides post-secondary education and educational support services to students interested in and capable of benefiting from programs of vocational education.

The Academy prepares students for a successful life beyond the Academy by promoting the principles of general education as set forth in the Academy’s General Education Statement. Students will leave AAMS with varied learning experiences and an understanding of the diversity of life.

The Academy makes students aware of their ethical responsibilities to the community, the environment, and their fellow human beings. The Academy provides educational opportunities, resources, and programs tailored to changing social, economic, and technological needs.

Objectives of AAMS

To provide necessary skills for efficient communication and language for school leavers so that they can have a better choice to make effective decisions in their career.
To enable the students to gain knowledge and develop skills in different areas of Hospitality and Disability management.
To develop and implement learning and teaching programs to assist students to meet their individual goals. This will include classroom activity, use of computer laboratories, self- assess and interaction with the community.
To develop and implement course specific subjects which are derived from the need for specific learning objectives, and the syllabus and the resource list.
To test and assess students’ competence in various subjects by way of assignments, exams and project works, class room exercises, role plays etc. in a way to develop interest and encourage students to learn.
AAMS strives to be a learning community, held in high esteem by members of its communities, providing high-quality learning opportunities for its citizens.
An Academy that values its employees, empowers them to work effectively, and monitors the results of its efforts.

AAMS Code of Ethics

AAMS, as a member of ACPET, agrees to abide by the Code of Ethics. This code affirms the professional standards expected of education and training providers in relation to the management, marketing and delivery of education and training services.

Objectives

1. This Code is intended to fulfil the following functions:

To provide students and clients with a clear statement of the standards which they can expect member organisations to adopt in their dealings with them, subject to equivalent provisions in any code or codes which the organisation has adopted to regulate dealings with its staff, students and other clients; and
To reflect the code of conduct requirements of Commonwealth and State Government Agencies for accrediting and registering organisations and courses under legislation which funds or regulates the provision of educational and training courses including courses for overseas students.
AAMS will adopt and maintain practices which ensure high professional standards in general management and the marketing and delivery of education and training services and which safeguard the interests and welfare of students, clients and the public.

Quality Education

AAMS will ensure the highest possible standards in the selection of staff and the planning and delivery of courses and training.
AAMS will ensure that teachers and trainers are suitably qualified and have relevant industry experience.
AAMS will maintain a learning environment that is conducive to the success of trainees/students/clients and ensure adequate facilities and the use of methods and materials appropriate to the requirements and levels at which courses are offered.
AAMS will monitor their training to ensure effective delivery and continued relevance.

Financial Standards

AAMS will safeguard the funds paid by students in accordance with relevant legal requirements.
AAMS will properly document their contractual and financial relationships with students and provide students and clients with copies of this documentation. Where AAMS is unable to provide agreed services they will make a refund to students in accordance with relevant Commonwealth and State legislation or ensure the provision of equivalent courses for overseas students in accordance with the ACPET Tuition Assurance Scheme.

Student Services

AAMS will ensure that all students are given appropriate orientation, and are given reliable and up-to-date advice on accommodation, counselling, in course placements, remedial education and welfare facilities having regard to the cultural and special needs of disabled students and those from different backgrounds.
AAMS will monitor the progress of students and ensure individualised support and counselling for those having difficulties with a course.
AAMS will be sensitive to the specific cultural and social needs of students.
AAMS will ensure that overseas students receive adequate orientation, information and advice on accommodation, counselling, health and welfare services, and assistance in accessing bridging courses or additional educational support.
AAMS will insist on the maintenance of generally accepted ethical standards in the educational and social relations between staff and students.
AAMS will respect the confidentiality and privacy of their students.
AAMS understands that students and prospective students provide them with information for the purpose of offering and providing training and education and will not use or disclose this information for other purposes except with the consent of the individual concerned, in accordance with a legal requirement or where relevant information is routinely used or disclosed in a particular way and this is notified to the student at the time the information is collected.
AAMS will assume a level of responsibility appropriate to the industry or profession for which AAMS provides education or training to assist graduates who have completed their courses to obtain employment. They will promote equality of opportunity in placement.
AAMS will provide effective internal complaint resolution and grievance procedures to deal with students’ problems.
AAMS will ensure that local students receive adequate orientation, information and advice on counselling, health and welfare services, and assistance in accessing additional educational support.
Any prospectivestudent who wishes to enrol with AAMS is based on merit which is open, fair and transparent selection from those who apply from time to time. Any student seeking a benefit from the Australian Government assistance is on a case by case basis and AAMS may take into account any educational disadvantage that a student may have experienced when applying for enrolment or seeking a scholarship so all students would receive equal and fair treatment and not be disadvantaged.

Fair treatment equal benefits and opportunities

all students and prospective students will be treated fairly and not discriminated against in any way.

the decision making process will be based on merit and that it treats all students fairly along with information regarding the merit-based selection process in place

Fair and Safe Environment

As well-being entitled to be treated with respect and given equal opportunities regardless of personal, social or cultural characteristics, all students and members of the Academy should also experience a safe work and study environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying or vilification. AAMS will investigate all complaints within its relevant policies and in accordance with the anti-discrimination and other applicable laws. The Academy will not allow victimisation of complainants.

Marketing and Advertising

AAMS will market its education and training services with integrity and accuracy, avoiding vague and ambiguous descriptions of courses or the qualification or capacities required by students to undertake them.
AAMS will avoid false or misleading comparisons with other education and training providers. We will avoid action which may damage the reputation of Australian education and training internationally.
AAMS will assume responsibility for the actions of their appointed agents for marketing services and processing applications for overseas students. We will ensure that our agents and partners maintain standards of behaviour and operation in relation to joint or agency activities that are consistent with this code.
AAMS’ marketing of our services overseas will be in a manner that is consistent with the educational, cultural and regulatory systems of the relevant countries.
AAMS will provide accurate information about immigration and residency requirements, cost of living, health and welfare, opportunities for further study and language prerequisites for undertaking relevant courses.
AAMS will provide overseas students with details of their OSTAS membership.
AAMS, in marketing its services locally, will do so in a manner that is consistent with the educational and regulatory systems. We will provide accurate information about cost of living, health and welfare, opportunities for further study and language prerequisites for undertaking relevant courses.
AAMS will obtain prior written permission from any person(s) or organisation for use of any marketing or advertising material which refers to that person(s) or organisation, and will abide by the conditions of that permission.
AAMS will accurately represent its products and services that lead to AQF qualifications or statements of attainment, and ensure that advertised outcomes are consistent with the qualifications.
AAMS will only advertise AQF qualifications that are within the scope of its registration and will not state or imply that services are within its scope of registration if they are not.
Any change in tuition fees will be advised in writing to current students and applicants, and will appear in all public, promotional and marketing materials including website, at least 3 months prior to the commencement of the study period to which they apply.

Final versions of marketing and advertising materials must be authorised by the CEO before they are printed.

The CEO has the overall responsibility for ethical marketing and advertising. This includes appointing and monitoring of educational agents. AAMS accepts responsibility for the actions of its agents in marketing its courses. Therefore, AAMS will not accept students from an agent if it is known or reasonably suspected that the agent is engaged in dishonest practices, facilitating the enrolment of students who do not comply with their visa requirements, engaged in false or misleading recruitment practices, using PRISMS for other than bona fide students.

All agents will be equipped with the Academy’s current policies and procedures and other pre-enrolment materials at all times.

Confidential Information

The Academy respects the confidentiality and privacy of its students, staff and other clients. AAMS understands that the information provided by students, staff and other clients for the purpose of offering and providing training and education and will not be used or disclosed for other purposes without the written consent of the individual concerned. Register of written consents received is maintained by the Principal and/or CEO.

Competency Based Training & Assessment

At AAMS training and assessments are competency based which means:

Students are assessed on their ability to obtain relevant information;
Students comprehend the information; and
Students are able to apply that information and understanding to a workplace situation.

Competency is defined as the possession and application of both knowledge and skills to defined standards, expressed as outcomes that correspond to relevant workplace requirements and other vocational needs. It focuses on what is expected of the person in applying what they have learned and embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments.

Consequently, assessments compose two outcomes:

Outcome / Explanation
Competent / the student has achieved the status as per the above definition of competency
Not Yet Competent / the student has not yet achieved the status as per the above definition of competency but with further learning he/she will achieve competency

Continuous Improvement

The Principal and/or CEO are responsible for ensuring opportunities for improvement are acted upon when required. The Academy will collect and analyse student feedback after each term. The Academy will use this data to focus on continuous improvement.

When participating in the internal audit, AAMS Principal is required to complete the Internal Audit Checklist and report by collecting objective evidence. The following processes are to be followed to ensure that the stated policies and procedures of AAMS are being circulated, understood and implemented consistently throughout the school and that these procedures are compliant with the standards:

Examining documents and systems as policies and procedures, student handbooks, relevant components of business plans, trainers/assessor qualifications
Examining records of actual training conducted
Perusing a sample of student files
Analysing resources for delivery and assessment required by the relevant Training Package or course, including assessment tools
Questioning the auditee to further explore evidence
Holding interviews with management, trainers and students
Observing processes such as assessment and learning activities, and
Looking at facilities and observing training and assessment activities

Following each internal review, copies of the audit recommendations prepared by the Principal will be forwarded to the CEO. Minutes of staff meetings and recommendations will also be forwarded to the CEO. These documents will form the basis of quality improvement across the Academy and the changes to the policies and procedures.

Compliance with Commonwealth, State/Territory Legislation and Regulatory Requirements

AAMS adheres to the following Acts:

Sex Discrimination Act 1984
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act 1986
Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Anti-Discrimination Act (NSW) 2009
Disability Discrimination Act (Commonwealth) 2005
Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000
National Vocational Education & Training Regulator Act 2011
National Code of Practice (2007)
Privacy Act 1988
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
VET Guidelines 2013
Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations 2012:
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011
Higher Education Support Act 2003
Fit and Proper Person Specified Matters 2012
Administration Guidelines 2012
FEE-HELP guidelines
Tax file number guidelines 2011

As a student at AAMS you have the following rights and responsibilities.

You have the right to:

be treated fairly with respect from others and without discrimination or harassment, regardless of religious, cultural, racial and sexual difference, age, disability or socio-economic status;
be free from all forms of intimidation;
work in a safe, clean, orderly and cooperative environment;
have personal property (including computer files and your work) and the Registered Training Organisation property protected from damage or other misuse;
have any disputes settled in a fair and rational manner (this is accomplished by the Complaints and Appeals Procedure);
learn in an environment that is conducive to success;
work and learn in a supportive environment without interference from others;
apply to have existing skills and knowledge recognised;
privacy concerning records containing personal information (subject to other statutory requirements and other agreed uses);
be given information about assessment procedures at the beginning of the unit and progressive results as they occur;
appeal any decision made about late or missed assessment;
lodge a complaint and have it investigated effectively without fear of retaliation or victimisation; and
express and share ideas and to ask questions

You have the responsibility to: